The Personal Genome Project Has a New Website

As of the end of November, the Personal Genome Project has a newly-designed and user-friendly website. Compare the OLD site and the NEW site – what an improvement! Misha Angrist, aka genomeboy.com and one of the “First 10″ aptly called the site “PGP 2.0″.

The new site is extremely well organized and contains information about the project and about participating in the project, if one is so inclined. Since this project will contain so much personal information about each individual that joins, participants will go through an extensive consent process that will include education, physician assistance, and even an online assessment to gauge the participant’s grasp of genetics and the risks of participation, among other things. I know that the team is working feverishly behind the scenes to gather as much information as possible to create an extensive consent protocol.

PGP 2.0 contains the official biographies of the “First 10″, which they call the PGP-10. I assembled biographies of the First 10 back in July when their names were released, and upon quick comparison it looks like I did a good job. The new site also contains a picture of 8 of the “First 10″ (note that the picture is missing Stan Lapidus as well as the mysterious 10th individual who has not yet been identified).

On a related note, the Personal Genome X-Team (PGx), which is led by George Church (leader of the PGP) has justbecome the sixth contender for the Archon X-Prize for Genomics (see my discussion of this X-Prize here).

So what does all this mean? For genetic genealogists, the PGP and the Archon X-Prize for Genomics means that affordable whole-genome sequencing is getting closer and closer every day (my prediction – which is based solely on my own educated guess – is that I will be able to sequence my entire genome for $1,000 or less by the end of 2009). As of 2007, genetic genealogists have done amazing things with just a few 100 or few 1000 sequenced bases. When we have access to the data from thousands of entire genomes, the field of genetic genealogy will explode.

It’s nice to look back that after almost a year, the genetic genealogists has done a vast improvement in their field. They have reached 1000 participants in mid this year and almost made it double before the end of the year with a target of enrollees. Through having more participants, the prediction of having one’s entire genome for $1000 or less would be possible.

The site has improved from 2009 and it still continues to become better. As per my suggestion, more participants will be encouraged through online campaign with the help of SEO reselling. Well, if they plan to improve the site, improving its page rank should also be kept in mind. I hope for a successful 10,000 enrollees and hopefully a genome for $1000 or less.

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The Genetic Genealogist examines the intersection of traditional genealogical techniques and modern genetic research. The blog also explores the latest news and developments in the related field of personal genomics. To learn more about me or about genetic genealogy, please explore the site.